Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Owen cleared his throat tactfully, "So... Mr. Stoddard mentioned that everyone in the lab misses you and said you should swing by more often when you've got a minute." Roseanne blinked, "When did Mr. Stoddard say this?"

"About a week ago." Owen didn't give it much thought and just told it like it was.

"Oh-" Roseanne drew out her words, "So Mr. Stoddard asked you to pass the message a week ago, and you just got around to it today?"

And he thought he could avoid her?!

The more he spoke, the more he fumbled. With that, Owen beat a hasty retreat.

Watching his retreating figure, Roseanne couldn't help but laugh out loud.

The afternoon sun blazed warmly, the sky a clear blue with leisurely clouds drifting by.

Everything was simply beautiful.

With no classes that afternoon and no plans to hit the library-her schedule had been packed lately, and her apartment could use a tidy up-Roseanne decided to take advantage of the lovely weather. It was high time to do some laundry and maybe even enjoy preparing a scrumptious meal for herself. The thought alone brought a smile to her face.

However, her smile vanished the moment she spotted him at the school gates, holding a bouquet of flowers.

Murray, in his suit, already stood out like a sore thumb, but with a bouquet in hand, he was impossible to miss.

Passing teachers and students couldn't help but cast curious glances his way.

"Not him again?"

this time. That big a bunch must've cost a

and romantic. If it

interested in you first, doesn't he?

Roseanne was truly exasperated.

thought she had made herself clear

the message. But now, here he was, pulling the same stunt again! This was

out, Roseanne turned on her heel and headed back towards the library. Cleaning her apartment could

weather for the next half month. There was plenty of time

waiting for an hour without a glimpse of Roseanne, Murray knew it was futile to wait any longer. He chuckled

roses in his hand seemed to mock

trash bin, he prepared to discard the

beautiful flowers going to waste, isn't

up to see Grace

The next second-

"What's it to you?"

to throw away if he wished, not for others

smile faltered, seemingly caught off

skirt, her hair cascading down her back, light makeup complementing her gentle smile, she looked the

intrigued, Grace's

was an unapproachable pride about him. Like the highest fruit on the tree,

business, but then, my opinion being a